Since I started reading Pam Lecky’s Luce Lawrence series, I couldn’t help but compare it to Andrea Penrose’s Wrexford & Sloane series. There are similar themes between the two, with a strong female protagonist who has known luxury but whose station in life has been reduced. Both claw their way back into Regency London society using their wits and fall in love with someone who truly seems to be their equal. The similarities seem to be getting less and less by this third book in the Lucy Lawrence series, as Lucy’s life seems to change a lot faster than Penrose’s protagonist.

The Art of Deception has Lucy back in London after her exploits in Egypt. Ten months have passed and she is officially out of mourning. Phineas Stone reappears on her doorstep and proposes. The two begin to plan their wedding. Lucy’s friend, Lady Sarah, insists on hosting the engagement party since Lucy’s family is out of the picture.

At the engagement party, the husband of Phineas’ ex-fiancee is murdered. When he’s found in the servants’ quarters, the new walking cane Lucy purchased for Phineas as an engagement present is next to him; the murder weapon. Alice, his former fiancee, declares that Phineas did it to free her so they could be together.

Phineas is arrested, and then released due to lack of evidence. He’s no sooner out of jail when an assassin targets him. Lucy must now clear Phineas’ name with the help of his brother Sebastian and her long-suffering maid, Mary. Was the murder someone trying to set Phineas up? Could Alice have paid someone to murder her husband? Is it tied to an art heist case Phineas has been investigating for the past 18 months?

There were many twists and turns in The Art of Deception. I enjoyed it as a mystery, trying to figure out exactly what was happening. I had some early thoughts about it that were incorrect, but I had to get through the whole book to get there as I was sure I was right until just about the end. The mystery kept me guessing for the most part.

The characters are really interesting. I like Lucy back in London and back with Phineas. In Egypt with just her and Mary, it felt like something was missing. The romance part seems a little rushed. I would have thought there could have been another book in between where the relationship between Phineas and Lucy moves along a bit more before they become engaged, particularly since he was missing from the previous book. They appreciate each other for what they are. Even as Phineas is trying to send Lucy away to keep her safe, he’s prepared for her to resist him. Lucy is not a wilting violet to be sent off while the man does all the work. When push comes to shove, she’s as clever and determined as Phineas is, despite the constrictions of the time they live in.

The servants of both Lucy and Phineas are more akin to friends than employees. Lucy’s maid Mary always seems to be a bit on the nervous side, but when push comes to shove she comes through. She doesn’t quite have Lucy’s love of adventure, but she loves Lucy and the feeling is mutual. The same is true of George, Phineas’ butler. George is loyal to his employer and cares about him beyond the job description. Both Lucy and Phineas do not take their servants for granted and see them more as family, upsetting the delicate societal balance a bit (not that they care).

The Art of Deception is an easy and enjoyable read. The characters move along nicely if the romance is a bit rushed. However, this will make it easier for Phineas and Lucy to act as partners in future books with less social constraints to deal with. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and had far-reaching consequences for many people in their circle. I look forward to more stories about this pair.

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